Streamlining time entry communication for construction teams
Buildforce, a platform connecting construction workers and contractors, faced challenges with its time entry process, which relied heavily on text messages and phone calls among workers, contractors, and support staff. This off-platform communication led to information silos and unclear time entry edits, causing disputes and inefficiencies. The Activity Log & Comments feature aimed to centralize communication, enhance transparency, and streamline time tracking across Buildforce’s worker and contractor apps.
Overview
As the Product Designer, I led the vision and execution of the Activity Log & Comments feature, which bridged two Buildforce products: the worker and contractor apps. I designed the feature’s concepts, collaborated with two front-end and two back-end engineers to iterate on implementation, and crafted external communications. I also partnered with Marketing to develop launch assets, aligning the feature with Buildforce’s goal of reducing disputes and improving operational efficiency.
Approach
I began by conducting stakeholder interviews with Buildforce Support (MPOPs) to understand pain points, such as the 2-3 hours spent weekly resolving time disputes. I prototyped a comment system allowing workers, contractors, and operations to add text and photo-based notes to time entries, ensuring a transparent activity log. User testing with contractors validated the design, while iterative feedback from engineers refined the notification system. This approach centralized communication, provided context for time edits, and supported service ticket resolution.
Results and Impact
The Activity Log & Comments feature reduced time disputes by enabling clear, documented communication, with early feedback indicating fewer back-and-forth messages between workers, contractors, and MPOPs. It increased efficiency by making activity logs accessible across both apps, saving an estimated 1-2 hours weekly for support staff. The feature also boosted note inclusion on edited time entries, enhancing transparency. Next steps include analyzing conversion metrics for note usage and expanding notification capabilities.
